After much speculation, we can announce that the round will be set in September 2013. Also prepare for your significant other to be unhappy with you for being on your phone too much through your Valentine’s date, because the release date will be February 14th 2019.

2013 was an exciting year in politics that changed the direction of the nation entirely – and it’s your opportunity to play your part. The coalition government has exceeded all expectations and has so far survived, but there have been significant costs for the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats along the way. The Labour Party has so far emerged with a small yet significant lead in the polls, but most people agree they too have yet to find real answers to the issues that plague not just the country but the wider world.

In the backdrop of a key Parliamentary defeat on Syria, it is an uncertain time: ISIS are a growing force abroad, a Scottish Independence referendum that could tear apart the Union as we know it lies in the distant future, the bite of austerity is taking place alongside a struggling economy and as the major parties struggle with power, once minor forces – be that the SNP, UKIP or even a lesser extent the Greens, are beginning to define the terms of the debate. Nothing appears to be sacred or safe as the order and consensus that has held British politics together for decades appears to be creaking under its own weight.

What will happen depends entirely on how you respond. We're looking forward to experiencing it all with you

I’m sure it is no surprise to anyone that we’ve decided that, after a break, it’s time to bring the game back - bigger, better, and with even more fresh ideas than before.

Based on the experience of the last few years, we’ve made some big changes, working with a number of members of the community (thank you to them for their input). This is still the same game. We have the same ethos, the same mission, and the same idea: you are an MP and you can basically do whatever you want with that.

But times have changed, and so has the world. When PolUK started the smartphone was a glint in Steve Jobs’ eye, and politics was consensual and well tempered. With that in mind, we are making the following changes.

First, the game will transition to a more mobile-friendly and on the go platform and model. This will mean more things that you can follow and play on the go, as well as more live events you can plan around your life. To help this we will have:

New forums better suited to the mobile experience, with thanks to Marty, Dan and Ed for working on it and on earlier concepts.

A new focus - in addition to the existing Parliament and press systems - on micro-activities (such as mini-interviews on college green) and live events (such as PMQs).

To facilitate this, a wholesale move over to Discord as an essential part of the game, with clear rules on how it will be used to ensure the game remains inclusive to its players. Links to new chats will be live this weekend.

Second, we will increase the focus on individual character development, giving you benefits to investing in and growing a character - whether as a team player or not. The core of this will be a new character experience system, where by participating in the game and offering quality parliamentary, legislative, and media input will grow a character’s influence and give the player extra benefits. This will replace party momentum, which will be replaced by qualitative feedback and regular opinion polling.

Finally, we will look to simplify some of the trickier and earliest elements of the game. We will have a new Google Form for legislation and character creation; and a clear and defined pathway for new players to get involved, linked to making early progress for your character through the character experience system. And we will be starting with a vanilla scenario - no alt-history this time.

This will still look, feel, and play like PoliticsUK. We are evolving the game, rather than replacing it. We’re excited for what the new round will bring, and we hope that you will all join us in this new adventure.